Course content

This course provides the students with knowledge about the development of the Norwegian nation state, and the importance of nation building processes in contributing to the establishment of Norwegian archives and museums. We will also discuss the asymmetric relationship between minority culture and majority culture, and how this is expressed in the practices of museums and archival institutions. Ethical frameworks for museum and archive practices are explored through the UN declaration of human rights and perspectives from archival science and museology.

Archivists, records managers and museum professionals will in their professional practice experience ethical dilemmas and situations where they will have to make difficult choices. Ethical challenges of archivists and records managers are discussed in relation to the role of archives in a democratic society.

Discussions about ethical challenges for museum professionals will address topics related to the political values that guide the work of cultural heritage institutions in Norwegian and internationally. Central themes are the relationship between museums, human rights and minorities, and the relationship between material cultural objects, immaterial cultural heritage and digitization of cultural heritage.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student has knowledge about

• ethical frameworks for archives and museums
• the main features of the nation state and nation building processes
• majorities and minorities
• basic human rights
• the political goals for the cultural heritage field in Norway

Skills

The student can

• describe and explain the role of museums and archives in a democratic society
• describe and explain the ethical guidelines for archive and museum professionals

General competence

The student

• has an overview of, and can critically relate to, nation building processes and nationalism as phenomena.
• understands the concepts majority and minority, and can relate them to the archive and museum fields.
• has a grasp of ethical frameworks and guidelines for archives and museums, and can contribute to ethical assessments in this field.

Learning methods and activities

A combination of lectures, excursions, group assignments and written assignments. If practice institutions wish to use BA students for e.g. preliminary projects, workshops or trials of various kinds, we will facilitate cooperation.

Compulsory assignments

• Reading logg
• Draft term paper

Recommended previous knowledge

LBAS1001, LBAS1002

Course materials

The course reading list will be published on Blackboard at the beginning of term. Minor changes to the list may occur during term.

Credit reductions